Adjustable projector mount

ABSTRACT

A mount for attaching a projection device to an overhead structure includes a device interface operably attachable to the projection device and a device orientation adjustment structure operably coupled with the device interface. The device orientation adjustment structure has structure defining up to three independent axes for adjustment of projector pitch, roll, and yaw. A single selectively adjustable friction element may be provided to enable projector position to be fixed about for any one or all of the independent axes. A gear adjustment mechanism may be provided to enable fine adjustment of projector position. Moreover, any one or all of the independent axes may pass through the projector device, preferably proximate its center of gravity so that it is self balanced on the mount to ease adjustment.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/418,813, filed May 5, 2006, and entitledADJUSTABLE PROJECTOR MOUNT, which is incorporated herein by reference inits entirety. This application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 7,497,412entitled ADJUSTABLE PROJECTOR MOUNT WITH QUICK RELEASE DEVICE INTERFACE,commonly owned by the owners of the present application and filed on May5, 2006, said application being fully incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to mounting devices and more specificallyto adjustable mounts for projectors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Multi-media presentations performed with video projection equipment havebecome very common for business and entertainment purposes. Often, thevideo projection equipment is a portable LCD projector that is placed ona table, cart, or stand in the room, with the image projected on aportion of the wall or a portable screen. Such impromptu arrangements,however, have a number of drawbacks. First, a considerable amount oftime is often needed to position, aim, and focus the projector inadvance of the presentation—time that is expended repeatedly whenever adifferent projector is set up. Further, it is often difficult toposition a portable projector where it is not in the way of personsmoving about in the room, or in the line of sight for those viewing thepresentation. Moreover, the wires and cables used to connect theprojector with the computer are in the open at ground level, presentinga tripping hazard and an opportunity for damage to the projector ifsomeone comes in contact with them.

In view of these many drawbacks of portable projectors, mounting deviceshave been developed to enable mounting of a projection device from theceiling of a presentation room. Such devices have generally beensuccessful in alleviating some of the problems associated with aprojector at ground level having exposed wires. These prior ceilingmounting devices have presented certain drawbacks, however.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,655, a device for mounting a video/data projectorfrom a ceiling or wall is disclosed in which struts are used to formchannels for supporting the projector and to conceal cabling. Thechannels, however, result in a rather bulky device that may be difficultto harmonize with the aesthetic environment of a presentation room. Inaddition, adjustment of the projector for roll, pitch, and yaw may betime consuming and difficult due to the generally limited adjustmentcapability of the device. Also, the projector may be vulnerable to theftby anyone with common hand tools and access to the device duringunattended hours. Other prior devices such as the low-profile LCDprojector mount is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,042,068, offer arelatively more compact mount arrangement, but still offer only alimited range of projector pitch and yaw adjustment, and no rolladjustment at all.

A projector mount is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/821,659, which alleviates many of the problems of prior devices. U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/821,659 is owned by the owners of thepresent invention and is hereby fully incorporated herein by reference.The disclosed mount provides independent projector roll, pitch, and yawadjustments along with theft deterrence in the form of coded fastenersconnecting each separate portion of the mount. Fine adjustment forposition may be hampered, however, due to the number of separatefasteners to be loosened and tightened to enable adjustment (six for thepitch and roll adjustments), and by the tendency for the weight of theprojector to pull the mount out of adjustment unless the projector isheld in the desired position. Also, although the theft resistantsecurity fasteners inhibit theft of the device, convenience of use ofthe projector device is compromised by the need to remove the securityfasteners with a special tool in order to move the projector to a newlocation.

A need still exists in the industry for a projector mount combining thefeatures of relatively quick and easy precision projector positionadjustment in roll, pitch, and yaw, orientations, high security andtheft deterrence, and compact size.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the need of the industry for a projectormount combining the features of relatively quick and easy precisionprojector position adjustment in roll, pitch, and yaw, orientations,high security and theft deterrence, and compact size. According to anembodiment of the invention, a mount for attaching a projection deviceto an overhead structure includes a device interface operably attachableto the projection device and a device orientation adjustment structureoperably coupled with the device interface. The device orientationadjustment structure includes at least one upright extending from thedevice interface and a support structure interface extending from andoperably coupled with the at least one upright. The support structureinterface has structure enabling it to be operably coupled, eitherdirectly or with a suspension member, with the overhead structure. Theupright and the support structure interface have cooperating guidestructures defining a first axis of rotation. The support structureinterface may include a first portion and a second portion operablycoupled so as to define a second axis of rotation generally transverseto the first axis of rotation, wherein the device interface isseparately selectively shiftable about both the first and second axes ofrotation when the support structure interface is fixedly coupled withthe overhead structure, and wherein neither of the first and second axesof rotation extend through any portion of either the device interface orthe device orientation adjustment structure.

According to the embodiment, the support structure interface may includea third portion operably coupled with the first and second portions soas to define a third axis of rotation generally transverse to both thefirst and second axes of rotation, wherein the device interface isselectively rotatable about the third axis of rotation. Moreover, themount may include a single selectively adjustable friction element forany one or all of the first, second, and third portions of the supportstructure interface to frictionally resist shifting of the deviceinterface about the first, second, or third, axes of rotation.

According to embodiments of the invention, any or all of the first,second, or third axes of rotation may extend through the projectiondevice. Preferably, these axes will extend through or proximate thecenter of gravity of the projection device thereby balancing theprojection device relative to each axis. When so balanced, theprojection device may retain its position during adjustment withoutbeing held.

In an embodiment, a mount for attaching a projection device to anoverhead structure may include a device interface operably attachable tothe projection device and a device orientation adjustment structureoperably coupled with the device interface. The device orientationadjustment structure may include at least one upright extending from thedevice interface and a support structure interface extending between theat least one upright and having a first portion operably coupled withthe upright. The support structure interface may have structure adaptingit to be fixedly coupled with the overhead structure. The upright andthe support structure interface have cooperating structure defining afirst axis of rotation, wherein the device interface is selectivelyshiftable about the first axis of rotation, and wherein the first axisof rotation does not extend through any portion of either the deviceinterface or the device orientation adjustment structure.

In an embodiment, a visual projection system adapted to be attached tothe ceiling of a structure includes a projection device, a deviceinterface operably coupled to the projection device, and a deviceorientation adjustment structure operably coupled with the deviceinterface. The device orientation adjustment structure includes meansfor defining a pitch adjustment axis for the projection device, whereinthe projection device is selectively shiftable about the pitchadjustment axis, and wherein the pitch adjustment axis does not extendthrough any portion of either the device interface or the deviceorientation adjustment structure. The pitch adjustment axis may extendproximate a center of gravity of the projection device. The system mayfurther include means for defining a roll adjustment axis generallytransverse to the pitch adjustment axis, wherein the projection deviceis separately selectively shiftable about both the pitch and rolladjustment axes, and wherein neither of the pitch and roll adjustmentaxes extend through any portion of either the device interface or thedevice orientation adjustment structure. The roll adjustment axis mayextend proximate a center of gravity of the projection device. Further,the system may include means for defining a yaw adjustment axisgenerally transverse to both the pitch and roll axes, wherein theprojection device is selectively rotatable about the yaw adjustmentaxis. Yaw adjustment axis may also extend proximate a center of gravityof the projection device. A single selectively adjustable frictionelement may be employed to resist rotation about any or all of the axes.

In a further embodiment of the invention, a mount for attaching aprojection device to an overhead structure, includes a device interfaceoperably attachable to the projection device and a device orientationadjustment structure operably coupled with the device interface. Thedevice orientation adjustment structure may include at least one uprightextending from the device interface and a support structure interfaceextending from the upright and having a first portion operably coupledwith the upright. The upright and the support structure interface havecooperating guide structures defining a first axis of rotation, whereinthe device interface is selectively shiftable about the first axis ofrotation, and wherein the first portion of the support structureinterface defines a first plurality of gear teeth engagable with a driveelement to selectively shift the device interface about the first axisof rotation. According to the invention, the drive element may be ascrewdriver, preferably with a Phillips tip.

The support structure interface of a mount according to an embodimentmay include a second portion, the first and second portions of thesupport structure interface operably coupled so as to define a secondaxis of rotation generally transverse to the first axis of rotation. Thedevice interface may be separately selectively shiftable about both thefirst and second axes of rotation when the support structure interfaceis fixedly coupled with the overhead structure. The second portion ofthe support structure interface may define a second plurality of gearteeth engagable with the drive element to selectively shift the deviceinterface about the second axis of rotation.

Further, the support structure interface may further include a thirdportion operably coupled with the first and second portions so as todefine a third axis of rotation generally transverse to both the firstand second axes of rotation. The device interface may be selectivelyrotatable about the third axis of rotation. The third portion of thesupport structure interface may define a third plurality of gear teethengagable with the drive element to selectively rotate the deviceinterface about the third axis of rotation.

In a further embodiment, a mount for attaching a projection device to anoverhead structure includes a device interface operably attachable tothe projection device with a plurality of fasteners. The deviceinterface has a first portion and a second portion slidably disposed onthe first portion. The first and second portions together define aplurality of retaining structures, each retaining structure forreceiving a separate one of the plurality of fasteners. The secondportion is selectively slidably shiftable relative to the first portionbetween a first latched position wherein each of the plurality offasteners is received and retained in a separate one of the retainingstructures and a second unlatched position wherein the plurality offasteners is freely disengagable from the retaining structures. A deviceorientation adjustment structure is operably coupled with the deviceinterface. The device orientation adjustment structure may include atleast one or a pair of spaced apart uprights extending from the deviceinterface and a support structure interface extending from the at leastupright or between the spaced apart uprights. The support structureinterface has a first portion operably coupled with each upright, and isadapted to be fixedly coupled with the overhead structure. The uprightsand the support structure interface have cooperating guide structuresdefining a first axis of rotation, wherein the device interface isselectively shiftable about the first axis of rotation. Each of thefirst and second portions of the device interface each may be a platestructure. Each retaining structure of the plurality of retainingstructures may be a first notch in a periphery of the plate structure ofthe first portion and a second corresponding notch in a periphery of theplate structure of the second portion.

A control may be operably coupled with the device interface and arrangedto slidably shift the second portion relative to the first portion.Further, a lock mechanism may be operably coupled with the deviceinterface. The lock mechanism is selectively shiftable between a firstunlocked position wherein the second portion of the device interface isfreely shiftable relative to the first portion, and a second lockedposition wherein the lock mechanism inhibits shifting of the secondportion from the latched to the unlatched position. The lock mechanismmay include a lock cylinder with structure for receiving a key, the lockstructure rotatable with the key to shift the lock mechanism between thelocked and unlocked positions.

As a security feature, the uprights may be secured to the deviceinterface with at least one fastener, with the fastener beinginaccessible for removal when the projection device is attached to thedevice interface. The support structure interface may also include asecond portion, the first and second portions of the support structureinterface operably coupled so as to define a second axis of rotationgenerally transverse to the first axis of rotation, wherein the deviceinterface is separately selectively shiftable about both the first andsecond axes of rotation when the support structure interface is fixedlycoupled with the overhead structure. A retaining structure may beemployed for retaining the first and second portions support structureinterface in operable engagement. Again, as a security feature, theretaining structure may be secured with at least one fastener, with thefastener securing the retaining structure being inaccessible for removalwhen the projection device is attached to the device interface.

A feature and advantage of certain embodiments of the invention is thata mount for a projection device enables adjustment of the position ofthe projection device for pitch, roll, and yaw, in a single relativelylow profile device.

A feature and advantage of certain embodiments of the invention is thata single selectively adjustable friction element is provided for each ofthe pitch, roll, and yaw adjustments of the mount, whereby only suchelement need be manipulated during adjustment about the given axis.

A feature and advantage of certain embodiments of the invention is thatany or all of the pitch, roll, and yaw axes may pass through orproximate the center of gravity of the projection device, therebybalancing the projection device and enabling it to maintain positionduring adjustment without being held.

A feature and advantage of certain embodiments of the invention is thata geared adjustment mechanism may be provided to enable adjustment aboutany or all of the pitch, roll, and yaw axes. The geared adjustmentmechanism may enable adjustment with a screwdriver such as a Phillipstip screwdriver.

A feature and advantage of certain embodiments of the invention is thatthe device interface of the mount may have a quick disconnect feature,wherein fastening buttons on the projection device are selectivelyengaged and released with a single lever control. A key lock may beprovided to prevent unauthorized actuation of the lever control andremoval of the projection device.

A feature and advantage of certain embodiments of the invention is thatthe mount for a projection device may only be disassembled when theprojection device is not attached to the mount. To this end, allfasteners for disassembly are located so as to be accessible for removalonly from the direction of the projection device. Unauthorized attemptsto remove the projection device by disassembly of the mount are thusthwarted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mount according to an embodiment ofthe invention coupling a device with a suspension structure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a mount and interface plate according toan embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a mount according to an embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a mount according to an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective cross-sectional view taken at section 5-5 ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective cross-sectional view taken at section 6-6 ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the mount of FIG. 4 with the base plateassembly removed;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the base assembly of the mount of FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the base assembly and guideassemblies of the mount of FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the support structureinterface of the mount of FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 a is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of the guidestructure and outer frame of a mount according to an embodiment of theinvention, the mount having an integral gear adjustment assembly;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the mount of FIG. 4 with the guideassembly shown in phantom to reveal the support structure interface;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the mount of FIG. 4 with the outerframe of the support structure interface shown in phantom to reveal theinner frame;

FIG. 13 a is a rear perspective view of one of the guide assemblies of amount according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 b is a front perspective view of the guide assembly of FIG. 13a;

FIG. 13 c is a bottom plan view of the guide assembly of FIG. 13 a;

FIG. 13 d is a front elevation view of the guide assembly of FIG. 13 a;

FIG. 13 e is a side elevation view of the guide assembly of FIG. 13 a;

FIG. 13 f is a rear elevation view of the guide assembly of FIG. 13 a;

FIG. 14 a is a rear perspective view of another of the guide assembliesof a mount according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14 b is a front perspective view of the guide assembly of FIG. 14a;

FIG. 14 c is a bottom plan view of the guide assembly of FIG. 14 a;

FIG. 14 d is a front elevation view of the guide assembly of FIG. 14 a;

FIG. 14 e is a side elevation view of the guide assembly of FIG. 14 a;

FIG. 14 f is a rear elevation view of the guide assembly of FIG. 14 a;

FIG. 15 a is a perspective view of the outer frame of the supportstructure interface of a mount according to an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 15 b is an opposing perspective view of the outer frame of FIG. 15a;

FIG. 15 c is a side elevation view of the outer frame of FIG. 15 a;

FIG. 15 d is an opposing side elevation view of the outer frame of FIG.15 a;

FIG. 15 e is a front elevation view of the outer frame of FIG. 15 a;

FIG. 15 f is a rear elevation view of the outer frame of FIG. 15 a;

FIG. 16 a is a perspective view of the inner frame of the supportstructure interface of a mount according to an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 16 b is an opposing perspective view of the inner frame of FIG. 16a;

FIG. 16 c is a bottom plan view of the inner frame of FIG. 16 a;

FIG. 16 d is a front elevation view of the inner frame of FIG. 16 a;

FIG. 16 e is a side elevation view of the inner frame of FIG. 16 a;

FIG. 16 f is an opposing side elevation view of the inner frame of FIG.16 a;

FIG. 16 g is a rear elevation view of the inner frame of FIG. 16 a;

FIG. 17 a is a perspective view of the yaw coupler of the supportstructure interface of a mount according to an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 17 b is an opposing perspective view of the yaw coupler of FIG. 17a;

FIG. 17 c is a top plan view of the yaw coupler of FIG. 17 a;

FIG. 17 d is a side elevation view of the yaw coupler of FIG. 17 a;

FIG. 17 e is a side elevation view from the yaw coupler of FIG. 17 dfrom the opposing side;

FIG. 17 f is another side elevation view of the yaw coupler of FIG. 17a;

FIG. 17 g is a side elevation view from the yaw coupler of FIG. 17 ffrom the opposing side;

FIG. 18 a is a perspective view of the bearing plate of the supportstructure interface of a mount according to an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 18 b is an opposing perspective view of the bearing plate of FIG.18 a;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the retainer plate of the supportstructure interface of a mount according to an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view of the key lock assembly of amount according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the latch bolt of a mount according toan embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 22 is a side elevation view of a mount according to an embodimentof the invention with the guide assembly depicted in phantom;

FIG. 23 is a fragmentary side elevation view of the interface of thebase assembly of a mount according to an embodiment of the inventionwith a fastening button, with the base assembly components depicted inphantom;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a mount for attaching a suspensionmember to a ceiling assembly according to the invention;

FIG. 25 is a side elevation view of a mount according to the inventioncoupling a device with a ceiling assembly;

FIG. 26 is a front elevation view of a mount according to the inventioncoupling a device with a ceiling assembly;

FIG. 27 is a side elevation view of a mount according to the inventioncoupling a device with a ceiling assembly, depicting the relationship ofthe device rotation axes with the center of gravity of the device;

FIG. 28 is a front elevation view of a mount according to the inventioncoupling a device with a ceiling assembly, depicting the relationship ofthe device rotation axes with the center of gravity of the device;

FIG. 29 is a side elevation view of an alternative embodiment of a mountaccording to the invention;

FIG. 30 is an opposing side elevation view of the mount depicted in FIG.29;

FIG. 31 is a rear elevation view of the mount depicted in FIG. 29;

FIG. 32 is a front elevation view of the mount depicted in FIG. 29;

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the mount depicted in FIG. 29;

FIG. 34 is a bottom plan view of the mount depicted in FIG. 29;

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a mountaccording to the invention;

FIG. 36 is a front elevation view of the mount of FIG. 35;

FIG. 37 is a side elevation view the mount of FIG. 35;

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of the mount of FIG. 35 viewed from anopposing angle;

FIG. 39 is a top plan view of the mount of FIG. 35;

FIG. 40 is a top plan view of the mount of FIG. 35 with the baseassembly depicted in an unlatched position; and

FIG. 41 is a top plan view of the mount of FIG. 35 with the baseassembly depicted in a latched position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The accompanying Figures depict embodiments of the mount of the presentinvention, and features and components thereof. Any references to frontand back, right and left, top and bottom, upper and lower, andhorizontal and vertical are intended for convenience of description, notto limit the present invention or its components to any one positionalor spacial orientation. Any dimensions specified in the attached Figuresand this specification may vary with a potential design and the intendeduse of an embodiment of the invention without departing from the scopeof the invention. Moreover, the Figures may designate, for referencepurposes, the relative directions of x-y-z coordinate axes as applied tothe invention. Any reference herein to movement in an x-axis direction,a y-axis direction, or a z-axis direction, or to rotation about anx-axis, a y-axis or a z-axis, relates to these coordinate axes. They-axis is oriented fore-and-aft in relation to the mounted device, thez-axis is vertical and the x-axis is perpendicular to the z-axis and they-axis, and is oriented laterally from side-to-side in relation to themounted device. For the purposes of the present application, pitch isdefined as angular displacement about the x-axis, roll is defined asangular displacement about the y-axis, and yaw is defined as angulardisplacement about the z-axis.

As depicted in FIGS. 1-3, projector mount 40 generally includes a deviceinterface in the form of base assembly 42, and a device orientationadjustment structure which includes guide assemblies 44, 46, and asupport structure interface in the form of support structure interfaceassembly 48.

In an embodiment of the invention depicted in FIGS. 8-9, base assembly42 generally includes base plate 50 and locking plate 52. Base plate 50has notches 54 defined in periphery 56, each for receiving a fasteningbutton 58 that is operably attached to interface plate 60 or directly todevice 62. Each notch 54 has an enlarged outer region 64 sized toaccommodate head portion 66 of the fastening button 58, and an innerchannel region 68 sized to accommodate shank portion 70 of the fasteningbutton 58. Base plate 50 may further define slot 76 spaced inwardly fromperiphery 56. Slot 76 may be generally keyhole shaped, with an enlargedportion 74 at one end for receiving the head portion 66 of a fasteningbutton 58 therethrough and a narrower channel portion 72 sized toclosely fit around shank portion 70 of the fastening button 58.

Locking plate 52 is slidably disposed on upper surface 78 of base plate50, and has notches 80 defined in periphery 82 corresponding withnotches 54 of base plate 50, as well as slot 84 corresponding with slot76. Elongate slots 86 are defined in locking plate 52 corresponding withfastener apertures 88 in base plate 50.

Lock lever 90 generally includes barrel portion 92 with handle 94extending radially outwardly therefrom. Barrel portion 92 defines bore96 offset from central axis A-A. Cavity 98 extends from bore 96 onbottom side 100 of barrel portion 92, and receives spring 102. Barrelportion 92 is received through oblong aperture 104 defined in lockingplate 52 with bottom 100 bearing against base plate 50. Post 106 extendsupwardly from upper surface 78 of base plate 50 and is received in bore96 in barrel portion 92 of lock lever 90 so that lock lever 90 isrotatable about post 106. Spring 102 bears against back side 110 ofcavity 98 and post 106 to bias lock lever 90 in its rotational travel.As lock lever 90 is rotated, side surface 107 bears against periphery107 a of oblong aperture 104, causing locking plate 52 to be shiftedrelative to base plate 50 in the direction of the arrows in FIG. 8, inturn causing fastening buttons 58 engaged in notches 54 to be clamped orreleased by the relative motion between the plates.

Guide assembly 44, depicted in FIGS. 14 a-14 f, generally includespedestal portion 112 and upright portion 114. Pedestal portion 112generally includes a pair of spaced apart legs 116, 118, defining locklever aperture 120 therebetween. Each leg 116, 118, defines an aperture122 having interior threads for receiving a threaded fastener 124 tosecure guide assembly 44 to base assembly 42. Spacer projections 126 aredefined on each side of aperture 122, extending from bottom surface 127of each leg 116, 118, a distance slightly greater than the thickness oflocking plate 52. Guide assembly 44 is secured to base plate 50 withfasteners 124 extending through apertures 88 in base plate 50 andelongate slots 86 in locking plate 52, threading into apertures 122 ineach leg 116, 118. Bottom surface 128 of each spacer projection 126abuts upper surface 78 of base plate 50, so that bottom surface 127 ofeach leg is spaced apart from upper surface 78 a distance slightlygreater than the thickness of locking plate 52 to enable locking plate52 to slide between legs 116, 118, and base plate 50.

Upright portion 114 defines upper channel 130, middle guide channel 132,and lower channel 134. Friction slot 136 extends through from back wall138 of middle guide channel 132 to outer surface 139. Adjustmentaperture 140 is defined through upright portion 114 from back wall 142of lower channel 134 to outer surface 139. Cam retainer tab 144 extendsinwardly from inner side 146 of upright portion 114 between legs 116,118, and bears on upper surface 148 of lock lever 90 to retain it inposition. Handle 94 of lock lever 90 extends outwardly between legs 116,118.

Guide assembly 46, depicted in FIGS. 13 a-13 f, generally includespedestal portion 150 and upright portion 152. As with guide assembly 44,pedestal portion 150 generally includes a pair of legs 154, 156, eachdefining an aperture 122 having interior threads for receiving athreaded fastener 124 to secure guide assembly 44 to base assembly 42.Again, spacer projections 126 are defined on each side of aperture 122,extending from bottom surface 158 of each leg 154, 156, a distanceslightly greater than the thickness of locking plate 52. Guide assembly46 is secured to base plate 50 with fasteners 124 extending throughapertures 88 in base plate 50 and elongate slots 86 in locking plate 52,threading into apertures 122 in each leg 154, 156. Bottom surface 128 ofeach spacer projection 126 abuts upper surface 78 of base plate 50, sothat bottom surface 158 of each leg is spaced apart from upper surface78 a distance slightly greater than the thickness of locking plate 52 toenable locking plate 52 to slide between legs 154, 156, and base plate50.

Upright portion 152 defines rib 160 on inner surface 162. The inwardface 164 of rib 160 is offset slightly from face 166 of inner surface162 below channel 165.

Support structure interface assembly 48, depicted in exploded form inFIG. 10, generally includes outer frame 168, inner frame 170, and yawcoupler 172. Outer frame 168, as depicted in FIGS. 15 a-15 f, generallyincludes side members 174, 176, and end members 177 a and 177 b,defining central opening 178. Side member 174 has arcuate projectingportion 180 on outer surface 181, defining channels 182, 184, on eitherside of bore 186. Shoulder 188 is defined along bottom edge 190 ofprojecting portion 180. Channels 192, 194, are defined in side member174 above and below projecting portion 180 respectively. Lower wallsurface 196 of channel 194 defines upwardly projecting gear teeth 198 inchannel 194.

Side member 176 has outer surface 200 defining guide channel 202. Theportion 204 of outer surface 200 below guide channel 202 is offsetslightly from portion 206 above guide channel 202. End members 177 a,177 b, have raised regions 208, 210, formed on inner surfaces 212, 214,respectively. The raised regions 208, 210, define shoulders 216, 218,above and below each of the raised regions 208, 210. End member 177 ahas outer surface 219 and defines elongate slot 220 and adjustmentaperture 222 therethrough.

Outer frame 168 is received between guide assemblies 44 and 46 witharcuate projecting portion 180 slidably engaged in middle guide channel132 of guide assembly 44 and rib 160 of guide assembly 46 slidablyengaged in guide channel 202. Guide assemblies 44, 46, and outer frame168 thereby together define an arcuate path for pitch adjustment of thedevice 62. Friction screw 223 receives friction washer 223 a and extendsthrough friction slot 136 and threads into bore 186. Friction washer 223a thus bears against outer surface 139 of guide assembly 44 whenfriction screw 223 is tightened to provide a selectable amount offrictional resistance to relative sliding movement between outer frame168 and guide assemblies 44, 46. Adjustment aperture 140 opens intochannel 194 to enable access to gear teeth 198 for fine pitch adjustmentas further described below.

Inner frame 170 generally includes side walls 224, 226, and end walls228, 230, defining interior opening 232, as depicted in FIGS. 16 a-16 g.Each side wall 224, 226, has an inwardly projecting guide pad 234defining an arcuate inner surface 236. Side wall 224 defines adjustmentaperture 238 and set screw aperture 240. Outer surface 242 of end wall228 defines channel 244 having side surface 246 with inwardly facinggear teeth 248, along with recesses 250, 252, extending upwardly frombottom surface 254. Inner surface 255 of end wall 228, has inwardlyprojecting guide pad 234 defining an arcuate inner surface 236. Threadedbore 256 extends into end wall 228 from outer surface 242. Outer surface258 of end wall 230 defines recesses 260, 262, extending upwardly frombottom surface 254. Bottom surface 254 defines recesses 264 extendingaround interior opening 232, and threaded bores 266 proximate corners268. Each end wall 228, 230, has arcuate lip 269 defined along upperedge 269 a.

Inner frame 170 is received in central opening 178 of outer frame 168with bottom surface 269 b of each arcuate lip 269 slidably bearing onshoulders 216 of outer frame 168, thereby defining an arcuate path forroll adjustment of device 62. Friction screw 269 c receives frictionwasher 269 d and extends through elongate slot 220 and threads intothreaded bore 256. Friction washer 269 d thus bears against outersurface 219 of outer frame 168 when friction screw 269 c is tightened toprovide a selectable amount of frictional resistance to relative slidingmovement between outer frame 168 and inner frame 170. Adjustmentaperture 222 opens into channel 244 to enable access to gear teeth 248for fine roll adjustment as further described below.

Yaw coupler 172, depicted in FIGS. 17 a-17 g, generally includes barrelportion 270 and flange portion 272. Barrel portion 270 defines centralbore 274 and apertures 276, which in an embodiment of the invention, areequidistantly spaced surrounding central bore 274. Set screw aperture278 extends through barrel portion wall 270 from outer surface 280through to surface 282 inside central bore 274, and is threaded toreceive a set screw 284. Blocking screw bore 286 crosses through setscrew aperture 278, extending from bottom surface 328. Blocking screwbore 286 is also threaded to receive blocking screw 290 to block accessto set screw 284. Surface 282 may be threaded to receive pipe supportcolumn 291 as further described hereinbelow.

Flange portion 272 generally includes apron portion 292 and retainingportion 294. As depicted, apron portion 292 is raised slightly aboveretaining portion 294 and extends between bosses 296 surroundingapertures 276. Gear teeth 298 are formed on at least one part of apronportion 292.

Bearing plate 300 depicted in FIGS. 18 a-18 b, includes central portion302 defining aperture 304, and opposing guide walls 306, each having anarcuate top surface 308. Upwardly projecting locating tabs 310 areformed at each corner of bearing plate 300. Retainer plate 312 definescentral aperture 314 and fastener holes 316 at each corner.

Bearing plate 300 is received on bottom surface 254 of inner frame 170with each locating tab 310 engaging recesses 250, 252, 260, 262, andarcuate top surface 308 engaging shoulders 218 of outer frame 168. Yawcoupler 172 is received in interior opening 232 of inner frame 170 witharcuate inner surfaces 236 of guide pads 234, confronting and guidingouter surface 280 of barrel portion 270. Inner surface 318 of aperture304 in bearing plate 300 confronts outer surface 320 of apron portion292. Upper surface 322 of flange portion 272 confronts bottom surface324 of bearing plate 300. Retainer plate 312 is secured on the bottom ofinner frame 170 and is secured in place with fasteners 326 threaded intothreaded bores 266. Bottom surface 328 of yaw coupler 172 bears on uppersurface 330 of retainer plate 312, and retaining portion 294 of flangeportion 272 is slidingly received between retainer plate 312 and bearingplate 300. Yaw coupler 172 is thus selectively rotatable within innerframe 170 to enable yaw adjustment of device 62.

Set screw 332 threads into set screw aperture 240 and contacts outersurface 280 of yaw coupler 172. When set screw 332 is tightened, yawcoupler 172 may thus be fixed at a particular desired rotationalposition within inner frame 170. Adjustment aperture 238 opens onto gearteeth 298 to enable fine yaw adjustment as further described below. Asan alternative to set screw 332, if it is desirable to avoid marringouter surface 280 of yaw coupler 172 or to provide greater purchase, aslug (not depicted) made from material softer than outer surface 280 maybe inserted in set screw aperture 240 so as to contact outer surface280. The slug may then be forced against outer surface 280 with afastener threaded into set screw aperture 240.

An alternative embodiment of the invention is depicted in FIGS. 29-34 inwhich base assembly 420 includes a single base plate 400. Base plate 400has notches 402 defined in periphery 404, each for receiving a fasteningbutton 58 that is operably attached to interface plate 60 or directly todevice 62. Each notch 402 has an enlarged outer region 406 sized toaccommodate head portion 66 of the fastening button 58, and an innerchannel region 408 sized to accommodate shank portion 70 of thefastening button 58. Base plate 400 may further define slot 410 spacedinwardly from periphery 404. Slot 410 may be generally keyhole shaped,with an enlarged portion 412 at one end for receiving the head portion66 of a fastening button 58 therethrough and a narrower channel portion414 sized to closely fit around shank portion 70 of the fastening button58.

Base plate 400 further defines fastener apertures 416 for receivingfasteners 418 to secure guide assemblies 44, 46, to top side 420.Apertures 422 are disposed on either side of each aperture 416 forreceiving spacer projections 126 of guide assemblies 44, 46, to enablethe bottom surface of each guide assembly 44, 46, to fit flush with topside 420.

Another alternative embodiment of the invention is depicted in FIGS.35-41 in which base assembly 42 is coupled to support structureinterface assembly 48 with a single upright 424. In the depictedembodiment, upright 424 defines upper retaining structure 426 in theform of guide slot 428, and lower retaining structure 430 in the form ofguide slot 432. Lower wall 434 of guide slot 428 has raised portion 436extending longitudinally in the slot. Slide block 438 is slidablydisposed in guide slot 428, and is secured to outer frame 168 with pin440. Lower surface 442 of slide block 438 is conformingly shaped withraised portion 436 so as to retain slide block 438 in guide slot 428laterally. It will be appreciated that pin 440 may be replaced with afastener (not shown) threaded into outer frame 168 to enable selectivefriction adjustment. Guide slot 432 defines circumferential rib 444.Guide wheel 446 has groove 448 extending around its circumference, andis rotatably mounted on outer frame 168. Circumferential rib 444 isreceived in groove 448, so that guide wheel 446 is retained in guideslot 432. Support structure interface assembly 48 is thus retained inslidable engagement with upright 424 by the combination of slide block438 in guide slot 428 and guide wheel 446 in guide slot 432. Again,upright 424 and base assembly 42 with any device 62 attached thereto areselectively shiftable about a pitch adjustment axis x-x defined at thecenter of curvature of guide slots, 428, 432. Upright 424 is coupled tobase assembly 42 with a pair of spaced apart legs 448, 450.

To mount device 62 to a ceiling assembly 500, a support structure suchas a suspension member 502, in the form of threaded pipe hanger 504 maybe secured to the ceiling assembly 500 by any suitable method. Asdepicted in FIG. 24, ceiling assembly 500 may be a floor/ceiling or roofassembly of a building, including parallel structural members 506, whichmay be trusses, I-beams, wooden joists, or any other such structuralmember. A pair of channels 508 is positioned spanning adjacent parallelstructural members 506, and are fastened or welded in place. A hangerbracket 512 may then be fastened or welded to the channels 508. Hangerbracket 512 has a plate portion 514 and a pipe nipple 516, which ispositioned so as to face downwardly. One end 518 of threaded pipe hanger504 is threaded into pipe nipple 516. The other end 520 of threaded pipehanger 504 is threaded into central bore 274 of yaw coupler 172, so thatdevice 62 is suspended from the ceiling assembly by threaded pipe hanger504. Set screw 284 is then tightened securely to fix yaw coupler 172 inposition on threaded pipe hanger 504. Once set screw 284 is fullytightened, blocking screw 290 may be threaded into blocking screw bore286 from below, and tightened with a screwdriver inserted upwardlythrough aperture 522 in base plate 50 and aperture 524 in locking plate52. Advantageously, blocking screw 290 prevents access to set screw 284thereby preventing it from being loosened or removed as a means ofunauthorized removal of the device 62. Further, since access to blockingscrew 290 is only from below, it cannot be accessed for loosening orremoval once device 62 is attached.

For security purposes, pipe hanger 504 may be fixed within pipe nipple516 by a tamper resistant setscrew 526 inserted through tapped hole 528.For the purposes of the present application, the term “tamper resistant”relative to a fastener means a fastener that has coding that correspondsto coding of a tool for installation and removal of the fastener. Thefastener is generally removable by normal means only with the tool, andthe tool is generally not available to members of the general public.Examples of tamper resistant fasteners are disclosed in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/821,659, previously incorporated herein byreference. Alternatively, particularly where the structural connectionof pipe hanger 504 is above a concealing structure such as a suspendedceiling, pipe hanger 504 may be fixed to pipe nipple 516 by welding, orwith a fastener 530 inserted through a hole 532 drilled through thethreaded connection of pipe hanger 504 and pipe nipple 516.

As an alternative to a pipe suspension member, a plurality of suspensionmembers 502 in the form of rod hangers 534 may be used to suspend mount40 as depicted in FIGS. 25-27. Again, channels 508 are arranged spanningparallel structural members 510. Channels 508 have apertures 536 forreceiving an end 538 of each rod hanger 534. The rod hangers 534 may beformed from threaded rod stock. Each rod hanger 534 is attached to thechannel 508 with topside nut 540 and bottom side jam nut 542. The otherend 544 of each rod hanger 534 passes through one of apertures 276 inyaw coupler 172. Bottom side nut 542 and topside jam nut 540 secure therod hanger 534 within each aperture 276. It will of course beappreciated that tamper resistant spanner nuts, or any other type oftamper resistant nut, may be used for top side nut 540 or bottom sidenut 542 to provide security and theft resistance to the connection.

With mount 40 secured to the ceiling assembly, device 62 may beattached. In an embodiment of the invention, interface plate 60 isattached to device 62 using suitable fasteners, which may be tamperresistant fasteners. Alternatively, fastening buttons 58 may be directlyattached to device 62 in an arrangement corresponding to notches 54 andslot 76 in base plate 50. Preferably, each fastening button 58 hasthroat portion 546 and head portion 548 with tapered region 550extending therebetween. Fastening button 58 may be secured to interfaceplate 60 or device 62 with fastener 552 which is threaded into bore 554defined in fastening button 58 from below. Significantly, fastener 552is accessible for loosening or removal only from below interface plate60 or within device 62, and thus fastening button 58 cannot be loosenedor removed as a means of unauthorized removal of the device 62 whendevice 62 is coupled to mount 40. Moreover, fastener 552 may be fixed tofastening button 58 by welding or an adhesive such as Loctite® tofurther inhibit loosening or removal.

In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-28, lock lever 90 is moved to itsunlatched position, wherein locking plate 52 is shifted so that notches54 in base plate 50 are generally aligned with notches 80 in lockingplate 52. Base plate 50 is then positioned with enlarged outer region 64of each notch 54 adjacent one of the fastening buttons 58 and with acorresponding fastening button 58 extending through enlarged portion 74of slot 76. Mount 40 may be manually shifted from this position so thatthe throat portion 546 of each fastening button 58 is received in aninner channel region 68 of a notch 54 or in channel portion 72 of slot76. Head portion 548 is larger than channel region 68 and channelportion 72 thereby preventing base plate 50 from being pulled axiallyrelative to fastening buttons 58.

Lock lever 90 is then moved to the latched position, shifting lockingplate 52 so that the edge of notches 80 contact fastening buttons 58.Tapered region 550 directs the contact of locking plate 52 downwardlytoward throat portion 546 of the fastening buttons. Preferably, throatportion 546 of each fastening button 58 is dimensioned so that itslength is equal to or slightly less than the combined thicknesses ofbase plate 50 and locking plate 52. As locking plate 52 contacts taperedregion 550 when lock lever 90 is latched, the edge of each notch 80slides downwardly along it, forcing base plate 50 and locking plate 52together. Once locking plate 52 reaches its final position, lockingplate 52 and base plate 50 are tightly clamped between interface plate60 or device 62 and head portion 548, and fastening buttons 58 aresecured within notches 54 and corresponding notches 80 to prevent baseassembly 42 from being shifted relative to interface plate 60 and/ordevice 62. Positioning of device 62 relative to mount 40 is generallyvery accurate due to the lack of free play in the interface of baseassembly 42 with fastening buttons 58. Moreover, the positioningaccuracy is generally maintained, even when mount 40 detached fromdevice 62 and subsequently reattached. Further, device 62 may be quicklyand easily attached and detached from mount 40 simply by shifting locklever 90 and engaging or disengaging the device interface with device62.

In embodiments of the invention, mount 40 may be equipped with key lockassembly 552 for locking lock lever 90 in the latched position. Asdepicted in FIGS. 20-21, key lock assembly 552 generally includes lockbarrel 554, housing 556, housing nut 558, lock cylinder 560, barrelfastener 562, lock slide 564, and a key 565 corresponding with andadapted to operate lock cylinder 560. Housing 556 is received throughlock aperture 566 defined in guide assembly 44 with open end 568 facingoutwardly, and is secured in place with housing nut 558 bearing on innerside 146 of guide assembly 44. Lock barrel 554 has side wall 570defining opening 572 and is secured to operable portion 574 of housing556 with barrel fastener 562. Lock cylinder 560 is received in open end568 of housing 556 and is operably coupled with operable portion 574 sothat when lock cylinder 560 is actuated with a key 565, lock barrel 554is rotated therewith. Lock slide 564 is generally L-shaped with a boltportion 576 and a catch portion 578 extending generally perpendicularlytherefrom. Lock slide 564 is received in recess 580 defined in bottomsurface 127 of leg 116 so that lock slide 564 is slidably disposedbetween guide assembly 44 and locking plate 52. Distal end 582 of boltportion 576 is positioned proximate lock lever 90, while catch portion578 extends upwardly and is received in opening 572 of lock barrel 554.

In operation, with lock lever 90 in the latched position, the key 565may be rotated to rotate lock barrel 554 in a counterclockwise directionwhen viewed from the side of guide assembly 44, thereby causing trailingedge 584 of opening 572 to push lock slide 554 so that distal end 582 isin contact with lock lever 90. In this position, lock slide 554 preventsrotation of lock lever 90 thereby preventing it from being moved to theunlatched position. The key 565 may be removed to secure the assembly inthis position. In addition, as a security feature, handle 94 of locklever 90 may be made so as to break off if undue force is used in anattempt to overcome the lock mechanism, thus providing additionalsecurity to the installation.

When it is desired to remove device 62 from mount 40, the key 565 may beinserted in lock cylinder 560 and rotated to rotate lock barrel 554clockwise, causing leading edge 586 of opening 572 to pull lock slide554 so that distal end 582 is pulled away from lock lever 90, enablingit to be rotated to the unlatched position.

Significantly, all fasteners that must be removed for disassembly orremoval of the mount 40, namely 124, 290, and 326, are accessible forremoval only from below the mount in the direction of the device 62,once it is attached. Hence, mount 40 is resistant to unauthorizedattempts to remove device 62 by disassembly or removal of the mount 40.Coupled with the locking feature disclosed above, mount 40 is thusresistant to theft.

Once device 62 is attached to mount 40, the mount pitch, roll, and yawadjustments may be manipulated to precisely aim the device 62 asdesired. For instance, where device 62 is a projector, the light beam ofthe projector may be precisely aimed using the mount adjustments so thatit covers a screen without overlap or unused screen portions. Also, theautomatic re-registration provided by the interface of device interface42 with fastening buttons 58 ensures that these adjustments will bemaintained even if the projector is dismounted from mount 40 andremounted using the quick release device interface 42 described above.

Device mount 40 enables pitch adjustment of device 62 by slidingmovement of guide assemblies 44, 46, relative to outer frame 168, rolladjustment of device 62 by sliding movement of inner frame 170 relativeto outer frame 168, and yaw adjustment of device 62 by rotationalsliding movement of yaw coupler 172 within inner frame 170. Inembodiments of the invention, each of the pitch, roll, and yawadjustments of device mount 40 has a single friction member for applyinga selective amount of friction resisting adjustment or to fix theadjustment at a particular desired position. Friction screw 223 withfriction washer 223 a enables a selective amount of frictionalresistance to be applied for resisting pitch adjustment, friction screw269 c and friction washer 269 d enables a selective amount of frictionalresistance to be applied for resisting roll adjustment, and set screw332 enables fixing of yaw coupler 172 in a desired device yaw position.The single friction member for fixing each adjustment enables quick andeasy adjustments in that only one fastener need be loosened andtightened in order to make the desired adjustment.

For coarse adjustment, it is only necessary to loosen the appropriatefriction screw enough to enable relative movement of the components,position the projector or device as desired, and retighten the frictionscrew to fix the adjustment in place. For example, to adjust theprojector for pitch, friction screw 223 is loosened by a sufficientamount to enable movement between guide assemblies 44, 46, and outerframe 168. The projector is then positioned at the desired pitch, andfriction screw 223 is retightened. The coarse adjustment of roll and yawproceeds in identical fashion by manipulating friction screw 269 c andset screw 332 respectively.

In embodiments of the invention, fine tuning capability for pitch, roll,and yaw adjustment of device mount 40 are provided by a row of gearteeth formed in a rack arrangement on the various components.Preferably, the gear teeth are cut so as to mesh with a drive element inthe form of the tip of a standard Phillips screwdriver, having forexample, a standard number two Phillips tip. In these embodiments, thePhillips screwdriver serves as a pinion meshing with the rack formed ona component to provide a means of translating the component. Withaccurate tooth cuts providing relatively close tolerances between thescrewdriver tip blades and the gear teeth, and coupled with the inherentmechanical advantage provided by the gear arrangement itself, very smalland precise adjustments are possible.

It will be appreciated that the drive element may take a variety ofother forms within the scope of the present invention. For example, thegear teeth may be cut so as to mesh with other fastener drive tools suchas a star or Torx® tip, or even a straight blade screwdriver tip.Moreover, where it is desired to integrate the drive element with themount, a conventional gear having involute teeth may be meshed with arack structure as described above that cut for such involute teeth suchas depicted in FIG. 10 a. In such embodiment, gear 340 is received inchannel 194 of guide assembly 44 and has teeth 342 meshed with gearteeth 198. Gear 340 defines central aperture 344 with key slot 346.Thumb knob 348 has barrel portion 380 and knob portion 352. Key 354 isdefined along one side of barrel portion 380. Barrel portion 380 extendsthrough adjustment aperture 140 and is received in central aperture 344with key 354 engaged in key slot 346 to rotationally lock gear 340 withthumb knob 348. In operation, as thumb knob 348 is rotated by a user,gear 340 will translate within channel 194 thereby causing guidestructure 44 to move relative to outer frame 168 along the guidestructures as before. It will be appreciated that similar arrangementsmay with used with any of the gear arrangements disclosed herein withthe conventional gear may be disposed in channels 194, 244, or aboveapron portion 296 of yaw coupler 172, operably linked with adjustmentknobs on the outside of the mount.

For fine pitch adjustment, friction screw 223 is first loosened slightlyand screwdriver shaft 334 is inserted through adjustment aperture 140 sothat tip 336 meshes with gear teeth 198 in channel 194 of outer frame168. When the screwdriver is rotated, shaft 334 bears against the sideof adjustment aperture 140, fixing the position of the screwdriverrelative to guide assembly 44, while rotation of tip 336 translates gearteeth 198, thereby sliding outer frame 168 along the arcuate path oftravel defined by guide assemblies 44, 46, and outer frame 168, and inturn causing device 62 to rotate generally about the x-axis. Once thedesired pitch is reached, friction screw 223 is retightened to fix theadjustment in place.

Fine roll adjustment is accomplished by first loosening friction screw269 c and inserting screwdriver shaft 334 through adjustment aperture222 so that tip 336 meshes with gear teeth 248 in channel 246 of innerframe 170. When the screwdriver is rotated, shaft 334 bears against theside of adjustment aperture 222, fixing the position of the screwdriverrelative to outer frame 168, while rotation of tip 336 translates gearteeth 248, thereby sliding inner frame 170 along the arcuate path oftravel defined by inner frame 170 and outer frame 168, and in turncausing device 62 to rotate generally about the y-axis. Once the desiredroll position is reached, friction screw 269 c is retightened to fix theadjustment in place.

Fine yaw adjustment is accomplished by first loosening set screw 332 andinserting screwdriver shaft 334 through adjustment aperture 238 so thattip 336 meshes with gear teeth 298 on yaw coupler 172. When thescrewdriver is rotated, shaft 334 bears against the side of adjustmentaperture 238, fixing the position of the screwdriver relative to innerframe 170, while rotation of tip 336 translates gear teeth 298, therebyrotating yaw coupler 172 relative to inner frame 170, and in turncausing device 62 to rotate generally about the z-axis. Once the desiredyaw position is reached, set screw 332 is retightened to fix theadjustment in place.

In embodiments of the invention, ease of adjustment is furtherfacilitated by attaching device 62 to mount 40 so that one or more ofthe pitch, roll, and yaw axes extend directly through or proximate thecenter of gravity of device 62. Particularly with the pitch and rollaxes, such positioning offers the advantage of balancing the device sothat its weight does not tend to rotate the device about the respectiveadjustment axis, and thereby affecting the ease and accuracy of theadjustment. For example, device 62 may be attached to mount 40 so thatthe pitch axis (the x-axis in the Figures), which is defined at thecenter of the radius of curvature of the arcuate path of travel definedby guide assemblies 44,46, and outer frame 168, extends through orproximate the center of gravity (annotated C.G. in FIGS. 27-28) ofdevice 62. With device 62 so positioned, the weight of device 62, whichacts through its center of gravity, is balanced and does not biasrotation of device 62 about the pitch axis in either rotationaldirection. When friction screw 223 is loosened to enable pitchadjustment, device 62 will not rotate in either direction until it ismanually positioned. Hence, the person performing the adjustment neednot hold the device in the desired position as with prior mounts.

The pitch, roll, and yaw axes intersect at a common point below mount40. Preferably fastening buttons 58 are positioned on device 62 so thatthe intersection point of the axes coincides or is proximate the centerof gravity of device 62.

It will of course be appreciated that in other embodiments according tothe invention, only two or none of the pitch, roll, and yaw axes mayintersect. In such, embodiments, any one or more of the axes may stillbe positioned proximate the center of gravity of the mounted device toachieve the benefits described above.

Further, although the mount 40 of the present invention has beendescribed herein as depending from a support member attached to aceiling, it will be appreciated that the mount may also be inverted andattached to a support member resting on or attached to a floor or theground. Moreover, in addition to projection devices, the mount 40 of thepresent invention may be used to mount any device for which positionaladjustability is desired. For example, mount 40 may be used to mountdevices such as monitors, televisions, speakers, or displays from aceiling, floor or other structure.

1. A mount for coupling a projector device to an overhead supportstructure, the mount comprising: a projector interface assembly adaptedto attach to the projector device; a support structure interface adaptedto attach to the overhead support structure; and a projector deviceorientation adjustment assembly coupling the projector interfaceassembly and the support structure interface, the projector deviceorientation adjustment assembly comprising: a first portion attached tothe projector interface assembly; a second portion coupling the firstportion and the support structure interface, the first portion beingadapted to selectively shift the projector interface assembly relativeto the support structure interface about a first axis, and the secondportion being adapted to selectively shift the projector interfaceassembly relative to the support structure interface about a second axisoriented transverse to the first axis; and at least one selectivelyrotatable drive element arranged to drive shifting of the projectorinterface assembly about the first axis or arranged to drive shifting ofthe projector interface assembly about the second axis upon rotation ofthe at least one selectively rotatable drive element, wherein the firstportion of the projector device orientation adjustment assembly includesstructure defining a plurality of gear teeth, wherein a first rotatabledrive element of the at least one selectively rotatable drive element isengaged with the gear teeth to enable shifting of the projectorinterface assembly about the first axis, and wherein the first rotatabledrive element comprises a gear element and a knob.
 2. The mount of claim1, wherein the gear element is a spur gear.
 3. The mount of claim 1,wherein the second portion of the projector device orientationadjustment assembly includes structure defining a plurality of gearteeth, and wherein a second rotatable drive element of the at least oneselectively rotatable drive element is engaged with the gear teeth toenable shifting of the projector interface assembly about the secondaxis.
 4. The mount of claim 3, wherein the second rotatable driveelement comprises a gear element and a knob.
 5. The mount of claim 4,wherein the gear element is a spur gear.
 6. The mount of claim 1,wherein the support structure interface defines an aperture forreceiving a portion of the overhead support structure.
 7. The mount ofclaim 1, wherein the support structure interface includes structureenabling selective shifting of the projector interface assembly and theprojector device orientation adjustment assembly about a third axisoriented perpendicular to the first axis and the second axis.
 8. A mountfor coupling a projector device to an overhead support structure, themount comprising: a projector interface assembly adapted to attach tothe projector device; a support structure interface adapted to attach tothe overhead support structure; and a projector device orientationadjustment assembly coupling the projector interface assembly and thesupport structure interface, the projector device orientation adjustmentassembly comprising: a pitch adjustment assembly attached to theprojector interface assembly; a roll adjustment assembly coupling thepitch adjustment assembly and the support structure interface, the pitchadjustment assembly being adapted to selectively shift the projectorinterface assembly relative to the support structure interface about apitch axis, and the roll adjustment assembly being adapted toselectively shift the projector interface assembly relative to thesupport structure interface about a roll axis oriented transverse to thepitch axis; and at least one selectively rotatable drive elementarranged to drive shifting of the projector interface assembly about thepitch axis or arranged to drive shifting of the projector interfaceassembly about the roll axis upon rotation of the drive element, whereinat least one of the pitch adjustment assembly and the roll adjustmentassembly include structure defining a plurality of gear teeth, whereinthe at least one selectively rotatable drive element is engaged with thegear teeth to enable shifting of the projector interface assembly aboutthe respective pitch axis or the roll axis, and wherein the at least onerotatable drive element comprises a gear element and a knob.
 9. Themount of claim 8, wherein the gear element is a spur gear.
 10. The mountof claim 8, wherein each of the pitch adjustment assembly and the rolladjustment assembly of the projector device orientation adjustmentassembly include structure defining a plurality of gear teeth, wherein afirst rotatable drive element of the at least one selectively rotatabledrive element is engaged with the gear teeth of the pitch adjustmentassembly to enable shifting of the projector interface assembly aboutthe pitch axis, and wherein a second rotatable drive element of the atleast one selectively rotatable drive element is engaged with the gearteeth of the roll adjustment assembly to enable shifting of theprojector interface assembly about the roll axis.
 11. The mount of claim10, wherein each of the first and second rotatable drive elementscomprises a gear element and a knob.
 12. The mount of claim 11, whereinthe gear element is a spur gear.
 13. A mount for coupling a projectordevice to an overhead support structure, the mount comprising: aprojector interface assembly adapted to attach to the projector device;a support structure interface adapted to attach to the overhead supportstructure; and a projector device orientation adjustment assemblycoupling the projector interface assembly and the support structureinterface, the projector device orientation adjustment assemblycomprising: a first portion attached to the projector interfaceassembly; a second portion coupling the first portion and the supportstructure interface, the first portion being adapted to selectivelyshift the projector interface assembly relative to the support structureinterface about a first axis, and the second portion being adapted toselectively shift the projector interface assembly relative to thesupport structure interface about a second axis oriented transverse tothe first axis; a first drive element selectively rotatable to driveshifting of the projector interface assembly about the first axis; asecond drive element selectively rotatable to drive shifting of theprojector interface assembly about the second axis; and a third driveelement comprising a gear element and a knob, the gear element engagedwith gear teeth defined in a portion of the support structure interface,the third drive element being selectively rotatable to drive shifting ofthe projector interface assembly about a third axis oriented transverseto each of the first axis and the second axis.
 14. The mount of claim13, wherein a portion of the projector device orientation adjustmentassembly defines a plurality of gear teeth, and wherein the first driveelement is engaged with the gear teeth to enable shifting of theprojector interface assembly about the first axis, and wherein the firstdrive element comprises a gear element and a knob.
 15. The mount ofclaim 13, wherein a portion of the projector device orientationadjustment assembly defines a plurality of gear teeth, and wherein thesecond drive element is engaged with the gear teeth to enable shiftingof the projector interface assembly about the second axis, and whereinthe second drive element comprises a gear element and a knob.